Apocalypse Gachapon

Chapter 2307: Controlling earth

”To the south, our forces have already extended there, havenʼt they?” Ye Zhongmingʼs gaze turned to Xia Lei. After receiving an affirmative answer, he said, ”We can continue south. There are many islands there, which are good places for naval training. We can have the newly formed navy get acclimated there before undertaking long-distance voyages.”

”Now that we have the strength, the landmasses in the southeast are all quite unique and not too large—we can try to bring them fully under our control. They are rich in resources and have many things unique to Earth, so itʼs better to keep them in our own hands.”

After saying that, Ye Zhongming thought for a moment and then asked Xia Lei, ”How strong are the evolved there?”

Xia Lei shrugged. ”So-so.”

”Then thereʼs no problem.” Ye Zhongming replied.

Many among the crowd sighed inwardly—this was the power of a true leader. A few words from him could determine the fate of countless lives.

”We can do the same in South Asia, but there are more evolved there, and even more zombies. Iʼve heard some of them are quite formidable, so thereʼs no rush—take it slow. We should try to occupy that area as much as possible fully. Any non-Cloud Peak battle squads interested in participating can come discuss it—we can develop it together.”

Ye Zhongming took a sip from the cup in front of him, then continued, ”Continuing further south brings us to the southern hemisphere. What to do there is up to you—itʼs sparsely populated but has many mutated plants and animals, which should make it a good hunting ground.”

”Finally, the west.”

Everyoneʼs eyes lit up, because ”west” was not just one direction—it encompassed several large regions: the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
”Weʼve been conducting penetration operations in the Middle East all along. How are they going?” Ye Zhongming asked Xia Lei again.

Such matters were usually classified, but since Ye Zhongming asked, Xia Lei had no reservations.

”Basically under our control. Itʼs mainly people from Blue Secret Realm and the Chameleonʼs people managing it. Weʼve secured the major cities and supply nodes, and thatʼs enough.”

The Middle Eastʼs geography was unique, with settlements concentrated in a few key locations. Controlling it did not require many people.

Even some of Cloud Peakʼs peripheral forces and even some Cloud Peak members were unaware of this; hearing it now, they were surprised that the Middle East had already been taken over quietly.

”If anyone is interested there, they can acquire rights through purchase—buying control over a region for a certain period, five years at a time. Weʼll use an auction format, with the highest bidder winning. Cloud Peak will assess each region and set a reserve price.”

”But thereʼs one condition... the winning bidder shall not engage in extermination-level hunting, mining, or plundering within that region during the five years. After five years, when the auction is held again, if Cloud Peakʼs assessed value is less than eighty percent of the previous one, then Iʼm sorry, but youʼll have to pay additional compensation we deem sufficient before you can leave.”

Ye Zhongmingʼs words echoed across the testing ground. Everyone listened carefully, because this marked the beginning of a new form of cooperation between Cloud Peak and other forces—and it held enormous potential benefits.

”And if the assessed value increases after five years, then if that force successfully rebids, a certain percentage of the total amount will be waived. In other words, the better you manage it, the less you pay, and youʼll have a natural advantage over others in the next five-year auction.”

After Ye Zhongming finished, the many peripheral forces gathered there could no longer sit still. Everyone wanted to discuss it with their neighbors, but suddenly realized they were all future competitors, so they had to hold it in and think for themselves—the expressions on their faces were amusing.

Everyone realized that if managed well, this could be a way to have a fixed territory.

Given Cloud Peakʼs current momentum—basically aiming to control the entire globe—survival meant aligning with Cloud Peak, as these peripheral forces had done.

Though they were doing well—even better than when they had operated independently—who did not want even more? Who did not want to be in charge somewhere?

Now Cloud Peak was giving them that opportunity. Even if it was far away in the Middle East, not everywhere was just sand; there were still plenty of good regions.

”Also, Cloud Peak will have the right to station troops in your territories and the right of free passage through them, because Iʼll be using that area as a springboard to enter Europe and Africa.”

”As for what strategy Cloud Peak will adopt there, hereʼs my thought: during the pioneering phase, forces that cooperate with Cloud Peak will be rewarded. Once full control is established, we can follow the Middle East model and auction off certain regions, also in five-year terms.”

Ye Zhongming stood up. ”These are just my initial thoughts. Cloud Peakʼs decision-making body can adjust them according to the actual situation at any time.”

”Everyone has contributed to Cloud Peak and supported it—I wonʼt forget that. Cloud Peak will give you returns beyond your imagination. One day, when youʼre old and sitting by the window, looking back on Cloud Peak, I hope youʼll have smiles on your faces.”

”Earth is vast, but itʼs just the beginning. The stars and the sea are our true destination.”

With that, Ye Zhongming raised his cup.

…………

The bonfire gathering lasted very late. Many people came to talk with Ye Zhongming, hoping to find their direction.

Ye Zhongming did his best to guide them.

In truth, it was essentially the same approach as with the Fake Ghost Tree.

As Ye Zhongming had said, Earth was too vast for Cloud Peak to control everything. With Cloud Peak people eventually going up to the sky, they would need these peripheral forcesʼ assistance even more on Earth.

Perhaps—Ye Zhongming thought—in the future, Cloud Peak might be nothing more than a spiritual symbol.

The crowd dispersed one by one only by dawn. The remaining Cloud Peak high-level members gathered at Ye Zhongmingʼs villa for breakfast.

Three large tables were packed full—there was no help for it. Cloud Peak had over a dozen nine-star evolvers alone, plus Liu Zhenghong, Le Dayuan, Mi Ya, Li Daqian, and others in charge of logistics and the War Beast Legion—even three large tables were a bit cramped.

The breakfast was sumptuous, rivaling peacetime fare, with both Eastern and Western options—eat whatever you liked. If you wanted, no one would stop you from dipping fried dough sticks in caviar.

”This time I came back, I wonʼt be getting involved much in Earthʼs affairs. You all can discuss things among yourselves. I only have two things—or rather, one thing—to talk about: going up to the sky.”

Many people stopped chewing.

The cosmic races of the universe were no longer a distant goal for Cloud Peakʼs people—they were prey.

After learning about Ye Zhongmingʼs experiences and developments up there, many Cloud Peak members had come to regard the cosmic races as prey.

Even though these ”prey” were currently countless times stronger than the hunters.

But that was Cloud Peakʼs nature—there was no helping it.

”There are currently two ways to go up: one is the welcome day—the way I went. Right now, we have four entry tickets in hand.”

”The second is the way I came back—smuggling. Because this method canʼt be used often, I donʼt know when the next chance will be. This time, I will be taking some people with me.”

The Cloud Peak King pushed forward the bowl of soybean milk made from mutated beans and asked, ”First, let me hear your thoughts: whoʼs willing to go up with me?”